1865 TO 1878 391 



zoologists was had in regard to the proposed Seaside 

 Laboratory at Wood's Hole. Particular attention was 

 given to the shad and menhaden fisheries. 



The year 1875 was very largely occupied with prepara- 

 tions for the Centennial at the Smithsonian. The recur- 

 ring periods of ill health indicate overwork. In addition 

 to his public duties the Professor was making plans for 

 a new house. His rented home was too small to furnish 

 the increasing space demanded by the work of the Fish 

 Commission. 



The utilization for fish culture of the warm, weedy 

 ponds of the Southern States had always been a problem. 

 The finer game fish demand colder water even to survive. 

 The carp, the culture of which has been carried on for 

 centuries in Europe and Japan, furnishes an abundant 

 supply of fish food of the second quality. This fish 

 Baird decided to introduce, to occupy the pools previously 

 affording nothing better than mud pout, catfish, bream 

 and suckers. 



The success of the project, executed in 1875, has been 

 surprising, and, though the fish does not appeal to the 

 epicure, it now furnishes the average man with many 

 million pounds of wholesome and inexpensive food. The 

 summer station was at Wood's Hole and hatching arrange- 

 ments for the eggs of cod and other marine foodfishes 

 were put at work. 



The Centennial year, 1876, was for the most part 

 occupied with exposition work at Philadelphia, service 

 on juries of award and similar functions. It was enlivened 

 by a visit from Professor and Mrs. Huxley; long sessions 

 with Dom Pedro, Emperor of Brazil; and the introduction 

 of the telephone to the public. Mrs. Baird was unfavor- 

 ably affected by the great heat of that summer and was 



